Press Release

July 2, 2015 — A rock ’n’ roll extravaganza, a madcap comedy of families, a Disney masterpiece, one of Broadway’s most powerful dramas, and one of its earliest and most pivotal musicals will all come to Millville next year in the capable hands of The Off Broad Street Players (OBSP).

The regional community theatre group’s 2016 season will begin February 12 to 21 with what OBSP officials called “a rock ’n’ roll musical,” adding that licensing restrictions prohibit OBSP from naming the show at this time.

“It’s going to be an amazing event, though,” said artistic director and OBSP founder Walter A. Webster. “We’re going to start the year with a piece that absolutely captures and pays tribute to the spirit of rock ’n’ roll and the artists behind one of music’s most powerful and influential genres. We can’t wait to tell everyone what it is and will do so as soon as we have permission. It will be the perfect kickoff to what promises to be our biggest season yet.”

The show will be held at the historic Levoy Theatre, where OBSP is the resident theatre company.

From May 13 to 15, OBSP will present You Can’t Take It With You at its second stage at the Glassworks in Millville. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play, most recently revived on Broadway late last year, will be followed August 5 to 14 at the Levoy by OBSP’s production of one of Disney’s most popular stage shows – which will also be revealed when licensing restrictions allow.

From September 16 to 18, the group will return to the stage in the Glassworks to bring to life the Broadway powerhouse Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf before ending its season at the Levoy Theatre November 11 to 20 with the classic Showboat.

“We are thrilled to offer these incredible works of the stage to the South Jersey community and to showcase many terrific performers within that community,” Webster said. “We can offer these amazing works because we have within our membership and our area the talent and passion to bring them to life, and we do it because of the many people out there who love and support live theatre.”

OBSP revealed its 2016 season during last week’s Ninth Annual Wally Awards Gala, when the group announced its subscribers’ selections for the best performances of 2014:

Children’s Theatre Award – Julia Fumo as Rosie in Really Rosie

Most Promising Youth – Scott Bonerbo as The Artful Dodger in Oliver!

Best Featured Actor in a Play – Jason D. Smith as The Bellhop in Lend Me a Tenor

Best Featured Actress in a Play – Shannon Sheridan as Maria in Lend Me a Tenor

Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Frank DiMauro as The Kralahome in The King and I

Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Katie Kiessling as Eliza in the Ballet of The King and I, Meghan Moses as Mrs. Sowerberry in Oliver!

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical – Shaun Laurencio as Lun Tha in The King and I

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical – Kaitlyn Cox as Lady Thiang in The King and I

Best Actor in a Play – Derek Davis as Max in Lend Me a Tenor

Best Actress in a Play – Virginia Miles as Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor

Best Actor in a Musical – David Halter as The King in The King and I

Best Actress in a Musical – Stacy Moscotti as Anna Leonowens in The King and I

Best Ensemble – The Wives and Children in The King and I

Best Production – The King and I

The group also announced recipients of several of its annual honors, chosen by the board of directors and others within OBSP:

Lynn Duffy Girtain Memorial Award – Kim and Wayne Wriggins

Lifetime Membership – Forrest Eichmann. Kim Hitchner

Matthew J. Mixner Scholarship Recipient – Mikaela Simon

Director’s Choice Awards – Domonic Barnes and Meghan Moses

Meanwhile, rehearsals continue for Shrek the Musical, opening July 31 at the Levoy Theatre. Tickets are available at www.levoy.net.